22 May 2025 Current Affairs

Kurma Mela & Olive Ridley Turtles

Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)

Vulnerable species known for their mass nesting behaviour (arribada).

1. Conservation Status

• Global population has declined by 30–50% since 1960
• Protected under:

IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (Schedule I)

- CITES Appendix I

2. Mass Nesting: The Arribada Phenomenon

• Spanish term “Arribada” = “Arrival”
• Thousands of female Olive Ridley turtles come ashore simultaneously to lay eggs.
• Odisha’s Rushikulya beach recorded 7 lakh nests in March 2024 – a record event.

3. Important Nesting Sites in India

Odisha's 480-km coastline has 3 major nesting beaches:

• Gahirmatha (near Brahmani-Baitarani estuary)
• Devi River Mouth
• Rushikulya Beach

India is one of the few mass nesting locations globally.

4. Philopatry and Magnetic Imprinting

• Philopatry: Female turtles return to the beach where they hatched to lay eggs.
• Geomagnetic imprinting: Turtles "map" the local magnetic field as hatchlings.

5. Ecological Challenges

a. Overcrowding leads to:

• Egg destruction from overlapping nests.
• Attraction of predators due to smell of broken eggs and disturbed sand.

b. Temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD):

• Warmer sand = more female hatchlings.
• May skew sex ratio, affecting long-term survival.

6. Role of ‘Straying’ Females

• First-time nesters often choose new sites near foraging grounds.
• Helps spread the population and avoid dependence on overcrowded nesting beaches.
• Critical for species survival over evolutionary timescales.

Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)

What is DGFT?

• The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is an attached office of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
• It is primarily responsible for the formulation and implementation of India’s Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), also known as the Export-Import (Exim)

Policy

• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Operates through 24 regional offices across India.

Historical Background

• Before 1991, the DGFT was known as the Chief Controller of Imports & Exports (CCI&E).
• With economic liberalization post-1991, it was restructured into DGFT to facilitate trade rather than just regulate it.

Key Functions of DGFT

1. Implementation of Foreign Trade Policy (FTP):

• DGFT executes the FTP by issuing various schemes, licenses, and notifications to promote and regulate foreign trade.

2. Importer Exporter Code (IEC):

• DGFT issues the IEC, a mandatory 10-digit code required for all Indian importers and exporters.
• This code is essential for customs clearance and legal trade operations.

3. Regulation of Transit of Goods:

• DGFT regulates the transit of goods across Indian borders based on bilateral treaties with neighboring countries.
• This helps in smooth and legal movement of goods for international trade.

Importance of DGFT in India’s Foreign Trade

• DGFT plays a critical role in India’s trade policy and acts as a trade facilitator rather than a mere regulator.
• It helps streamline export-import procedures, improve ease of doing business, and implement government’s trade-related incentives.
• DGFT’s functioning is essential for India’s export growth, foreign exchange earnings, and global economic integration.

Axiom-4 Mission (Ax-4)

Overview

• Ax-4 is the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
• It is part of a broader initiative to commercialize low Earth orbit by involving private players in space missions.

Who is organizing it?

• The mission is organized by Axiom Space, a private space company.
• It is carried out in collaboration with NASA (United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration).

Launch Details

• Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
• Launch Site: NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
• Axiom Space collaborates with SpaceX for transportation and with NASA for ISS access and operations.

Objectives of the Mission

1. Duration: Up to 14 days aboard the ISS.

2. The mission aims to:

• Conduct scientific experiments.
• Perform technology demonstrations.
• Participate in educational outreach and public engagement.

Research Focus Areas

These align with global scientific priorities:

• Materials Science: Testing how new materials behave in microgravity.
• Biology: Studying the effects of space on human and microbial biology.
• Earth Observation: Using the vantage point of the ISS to monitor Earth systems (climate, oceans, vegetation, etc.).
• These experiments could lead to groundbreaking discoveries and have commercial and technological applications on Earth.

Significance for India

• The mission includes the first Indian astronaut to travel to the ISS under a joint initiative between NASA and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation).
• This represents a major step in India’s international space cooperation and human spaceflight capability development.

Global Representation

• Ax-4 includes first-time astronauts from Poland and Hungary.
• This reflects the growing international interest in commercial space missions and cooperation beyond traditional space powers.

India’s Relationship with Turkey and Azerbaijan

Overview

Following Turkey and Azerbaijan’s support to Pakistan post- Pahalgam terrorist attack, India witnessed a wave of unofficial backlash including:

• Travel and trade boycotts
• Academic institution MoUs suspended
• Public sentiment turning against these nations

Geopolitical Alignments

1. Turkey–Pakistan Strategic Partnership

• Turkey has consistently supported Pakistan on issues like Kashmir.
• In return, Pakistan supports Turkey’s claims in Cyprus.
• Defense Cooperation:

- Arms trade since the 1990s (SIPRI data)

- Categories: artillery, tanks, armoured vehicles, personnel carriers

2. Azerbaijan–Turkey Military Alliance

Azerbaijan received strong support from Turkey during:

• 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War against Armenia
• Although Turkey denied direct military involvement, diplomatic and material support was evident.

3. India–Armenia Military Engagement

• India has exported: Surface-to-air missile systems and Multiple rocket launchers
• No arms trade with either Azerbaijan or Turkey as per SIPRI data

Trade and Economic Relations

1. Crude Oil

Turkiye and Azerbaijan have minor roles in India's energy imports:

• Combined share in India’s crude oil imports: <1% (2018–2023)
• But India was Azerbaijan’s 3rd largest oil buyer in 2023

2. Machinery and Equipment

• Turkey exports machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers, etc.
• Yet, its share in India’s total imports in this sector is only ~1%
• India’s top machinery suppliers: China, Germany

Travel and Educational Engagement

1. Tourism

Indian tourists:

• <1% of tourists in Turkiye (2024)
• ~10% in Azerbaijan (2024) — up from 6% in 2023

However, there is an increasing trend in Indian travel to both nations recently.

2. Education

• Indian students studying in Turkey and Azerbaijan: Increased from <100 in 2017 to 777 by 2024

Domestic Reaction in India

After political tensions:

• Indian tour operators cancelled packages to both nations
• IITs and JNU suspended MoUs
• Trader associations passed resolutions to boycott trade

Strategic Implications for India - Limited Economic Dependence

Data shows India’s economic ties with both countries are limited, so:

• Any trade or travel boycott would not significantly impact India.
• But Azerbaijan might face greater loss due to its reliance on India for oil exports.